Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-11-10
1a,lu gress ind 9akutaian
4 FAMOUS SPEECH.
How Patrick Henry Delivered Those
Thrilling Words.

FHN~|HM --- 49,
How Patrick Henry Delivered Those
Thrilling Words.
In his most interesting "Life Of Patrick
Henry" published in the american
Statesmen" series, Prof. Moses Colt
lylor has brought to light en- important
aud most interesting description OF
Henry g manner OF delivering his most
celebrated speech. II ia contained in
ane manuscripts of Edward Fontains,
yblcn Ia % Ia the library of Cornell
unlsersity, ana Is as Tcltows:
"Wnen he said, rs liieso dear or peace
so sweet as to be- purchased at the price
Of chains and slavery? he stood In the
attitude of q condemned galley slave
loaded With letters awaiting his doom.
His form vas bowed, his wrists were
crossed, his manaoles were almost
visible as be stood like an embodiment
OF heiplessness and agony. Alter q
solemn pause he raised his eyes and
chained handle toward heaven and pray
ed in words and tones which thrilled
every heart: Forbid it. Almighty
Go6?' He then turned toward the
timid loyallsts Of the house, who
were quaking with terror at the
idea Of the consequences of partici-
patlng IN proceedings which would be
visited with the penalties of treason BY
the British crown, aud SLOWLY beps his
form yet nearer to the earth and said, Il
know not what course others may take
and he accompanied the word with his
hands still crossed, while he seemed to
be weighed down with additional chains.
The man appeared to be transformed
into an oppressed, heart broken and
hopeless felon.
AFTER remaining in this posture of hu.
initiation long enough to impress the
imagination with the condition of the
colony under the iron heel of military
despotism, be arose proudly and ex,
CLAIMED: But as for me'-and the
words Kissed through his cllnched teeth,
while his body was thrown back, and
every muscle and tendon YVES strained
against the letters which bound him.
and with his countenRnce distorted by
agony aud rage, he looked for o moment
like LAGOON IN q death struggle with
co,l,ng serpents; then the loud, CLEAR,
triumphant notes, "Give me liberty"
electrified the assembly. Ii was NOT
prayer, bus q stern demand, which
would submit to no refusal or delay.
The sound of his voice as he spoke these
memorable words was like that of q
Spartan p@an on the field of Platte; and
as each syllable of the word liberty
echoed through the building his letters
were shiyered; his arms were hurled
apart, and the links of his chains were
ecsttered to the winds. When he spoke
the word liberty with an emphasis
never given it before, his hands were
open and his arms elevated and extend
ed, his countenancs was radiant; he
stood erect and defiant, while the sound
OF his voice snd the sublimity OF his
attitude made him appear o magnificent
incarnation OF freedom, and expressed
all hat can be acquired or enjoyed by
nations and individuals inyincible and
free.
"After q momentary pause only long
enough to permit the echo OF tho word
liberty to cease, he let his hand fell
powerlesH TO his side. and clinohed his
right hand firmly. as if holding a dagger
with the point aimed at his breast. He
stood like O Roman senator defying
Cesar, while the unconquerable spirit
OF Cato of Utica flashed from evs.yy fea-
ture, and he closed the grand appeal
with the solemn words, sor give me
death, which sounded with the awful
cadence of a hero's dirge, fearless OF
death and victorious in death; and he
suited the action to the word by q blow
upon the left breast with the right hand
which seemed to drive The dagger to
the patriots heart"